Significance of Frankenstein's subtitle as The Modern Prometheus

 

 

‘The Modern Prometheus’  is the subtitle of the novel Frankenstein. The name Prometheus is referred in many ways. According to Greek mythology, Prometheus has never been an evil figure but known as the cultural hero.  He is best known for defying the God Zeus by stealing fire from the heaven and give to the humanity as his gift in the form of technology or knowledge.

 

As a result of stealing fire from God, he was sentenced to eternal torment. Zeus, king of Olympian gods, punished him for his transgression by bounding him to a rock. Each day an eagle, the emblem of Zeus, was sent to eat the liver of Prometheus which would grow back overnight to be eaten again for the next day. It was eventually freed by a Greek hero Heracles. Since Prometheus is not an evil creature, the author subtitled the novel as ‘The Modern Prometheus’ that is, Modern Prometheus in a new version. Mary Shelley considers Victor Frankenstein as a modern version of Prometheus as there are many striking similarities in between  Frankenstein  and Prometheus.

 

Prometheus represents the striving of human and the search for knowledge and advancement. He is notated for his several daring deeds. He is associated with intellect knowledge and genius mind. The act of giving fire to humans can be considered as a symbol of gifting reason, intellect and the spirit of inventiveness to human race. He also remarkably represents the courage and bravery. All these traits are discernible in Victor Frankenstein as well.